'Wilde Winter Songbook' (Again!)

I know its now a year old and I know that I reviewed it here then but Kim Wilde's 'Wilde Winter Songbook' album has proved to be an album with true staying power. As the weeks gradually turn towards Christmas, I am starting to get the urge to listen to plenty of old favourites again but am resisting that urge at the moment preferring instead to continue to explore the more modern - less heard festive delights in my vast record collection.

I have always thought of Kim Wilde as a lovely looking lady and once got into trouble with a girl at my school who wanted my attention by staring lovingly at a picture of Kim while daydreaming in the common room! Aside from her considerable sex appeal though, Kim is also a very good song writer and her talent in this area shines brightly on 'Wilde Winter Songbook'. Not only is the album a successful blend of traditional cover versions and originals it hangs together very well as an album listen and songs like 'Hope' advertise Kim's ability to sing in such a way as to make you believe she means every word. I love that as it makes me feel closer to Kim as a person - even if some may see it as rather 'karaoke'.

'Song For Beryl' meanwhile is a song that almost brings me to tears. Its a song of remembrance and loss and serves as the perfect reminder that not everyone has a family or friends to spend Christmas with... On the happier side of things playful songs like Kim's 'Hey Mister Snowman' bring the joyous, magical side of Christmas to the forefront of your mind. All in all, aside from the opening and closing duets (with Rick Astley and at the end Nick Kershaw) which I find are less successful, 'Wilde Winter Songbook' is a fantastic album and if you decided to pass it over last year you should put it on your shopping list this...

It would be lovely to meet Kim one day. Don't know what the hell I would say to her mind you but I get the feeling the subject of Christmas would be a good place to start a conversation...Oh, and I do consider her song, 'Someday' (from the LP 'Love Moves'), to be a song which would certainly take pride of place on any soundtrack album of my life so that might just get a mention too!

Love ya' Kim xxx